Amidst tight security, members of the Organised Labour comprising Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and affiliate unions as well as civil society organisations today took to the streets in Lagos, to protest over what they described as economic hardships facing Nigerians.
The protest, which began from under the bridge along Awolowo road in Ikeja to the state assembly complex in Alausa-Ikeja, came despite appeals from stakeholders including the National Assembly and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, NECA against the action.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Save the masses from poverty and hunger”, “Petrol subsidy is a fraud, Fix refineries” and “Stop the looting, tax the rich, subsidize the poor”, also chanted solidarity songs as they move along the streets, thereby causing traffic congestion.
Presenting the demands of Workers at the Lagos assembly complex, Deputy National Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ismail Bello urged government to urgently put measures in place to cushion the hardship confronting Nigerians.
“Our hope is that the government of the day will listen to the cry of the citizens. Our cry, so that at least, we can eat two times a day and commute freely”
Comrade Bello claimed that the numerous engagements between labour unions and government, has not yielded the desired fruits.
“On June five, we had an understanding with government and the leadership of Congress is keen that government respect that understanding. Government must improve the wages of workers immediately before minimum wage, minimum wage comes in 2024”.
On her part, the Chairman of NLC in Lagos, Comrade Funmi Sessi advocated the provision of thirty thousand naira and food banks as palliatives to Lagos workers, in view of current economic realities in the nation’s economic nerve center.
“Before the wrap-up of minimum wage that our national bodies are demanding from Federal Government, workers in Lagos are asking for subsidy palliatives. It has become imperative that the Lagos government comes to our aid quickly, people are dying”
Also speaking, Human Rights crusader and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana tasked members of the national assembly to consider the welfare of their constituents above their personal interests.
“The implementation of neo-liberal policies has gone to further pauperise Nigerians and increase poverty in Nigeria. It is unacceptable to vote N70billiion for facelift of national assembly complex and N40billion for acquisition of exotic cars, when Nigerians are hungry”.
Mr. Falana alleged that the International Oil Companies were owing the nation, sixty-two billion dollars, which he noted could be recovered and used to further cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
“Democracy is under threat in West Africa, let us consolidate on our democracy by taking care of the masses”.
Receiving the charter of demands by Labour, Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat commended the labour unions for the peaceful protest, with a promise that their demands would be given immediate attention.
“What we all want is a better Nigeria and I am sure that we will get there. We have heard you, we will read your letter and you shall hear from us soon”.
Some members of Lagos state assembly, including the Majority Leader, Mr. Noheem Adams and the Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko were also on ground to receive the protesters.
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